JD(S)

The 2026 Legislative Council elections have delivered mixed political outcomes across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Karnataka. The BJP has secured key victories in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, while Bihar has witnessed a diverse verdict, with the BJP, RJD, Jan Suraaj Party and an Independent candidate each winning one of the four declared seats.

BJP-JD(S) sweeps Bengaluru Teachers seat Congress loses on Kharge's home turf

Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy has urged JD(S) social-media workers to cooperate with police investigating a video described by Congress leaders as a fake sting operation targeting former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The BJP and its ally Janata Dal (Secular) recorded a strong performance in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections held on October 23, 2026. The BJP won three seats, while JD(S) secured one, strengthening the NDA's position in the state and dealing a setback to the Congress in key constituencies.

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has accused Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Home Minister Priyank Kharge of conspiring to implicate him and the Janata Dal (Secular), or JD(S), in a sting operation case involving former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra has said another chief ministerial change would not surprise him amid a controversy involving alleged sting operations targeting former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The dispute has intensified political exchanges between the BJP, Congress, and JD(S).

A fresh political controversy has erupted in Karnataka's electoral-roll revision process after an FIR was registered over alleged fraudulent Form-7 applications seeking deletion of 5,698 voters in Bengaluru's Jayanagar constituency.

Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar has alleged that BJP and JD(S) figures were involved in attempts to delete eligible voters through bulk Form-7 applications during the SIR exercise. Multiple complaints and FIRs have emerged over disputed voter-deletion applications, while election authorities have directed officials to investigate false submissions.

Senior Congress MLA and former Karnataka minister H.K. Patil has set October 10 as the deadline for the state government to declare Gadag district drought-affected. Patil has said he will decide on resigning as MLA if the demand is not accepted, citing rainfall deficiency, crop losses and concerns raised by local representatives and farmers.

Mahadev Prasad is a journalist who covers Karnataka politics, government affairs and developments in the state.

The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer has allowed adult family members to represent senior citizens, persons with disabilities, sick individuals and overseas voters during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The decision is aimed at making the voter-verification process more accessible while ensuring eligible voters remain part of the electoral system.

Karnataka plays a significant role in Indian parliamentary politics with 28 Lok Sabha seats, making it an important battleground for national parties. The BJP, Congress, and JD(S) are key political forces, with alliances and regional dynamics influencing electoral outcomes. Issues such as Bengaluru development, agriculture, employment, water disputes, and Centre–State relations remain central to Karnataka’s political discourse.